Portlandia, the television series set in Portland has taken Portlanders by storm. Featuring Saturday Night Live cast members, Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein, the show has become a hit. Those who watch it know why. Hilarious writing, quirky sub-plots, and appearances by celebrities such as, Steve Buscemi, Selma Blair and Jason Sudeikis.

What makes this all so fun and tied together for the traveler, is the fact that Portland’s thriving movie brewpubs have created just the spot for social gatherings to watch the show. The second season episodes began airing in January 2012.

Portlandia fantatics will be thrilled to learn that Portland’s mayor (who also guest starred in the show) proclaimed January 21, 2011 Portlandia Day. And, it was bound to happen… much like what the movie Sideways did for the wine country, Portlandia is doing for America’s number one biking capital. Portland Bike Tour and Rental Company  (http://www.portlandbicycletours.com) is offering up Portlandia themed biking tours.

For the traveler visiting Portland, hitting one of these movie brewpubs (whether to watch Portlandia or not) is a must-do adventure.

I’m typically not the type of traveler who relishes in getting to a movie while on a holiday, but the experience of sitting in cozy couches, eating great food, while drinking a dark beer on tap- brewed right there on the spot, is just my kind of heaven. Not to mention, the ticket prices aren’t bad, under $5.00 US for a first run movie, and on-tap specials are offered nightly.

How did this all come about? From the brilliance of two brothers who run the McMenamins Company. The company whose initial goal was to preserve local landmarks, successfully turned dilapidated buildings into the best of what entertainment has to offer, all the while- creating social spaces for the community.

Top Picks:

The Kennedy School 5736 NE 33rd Ave., Portland, OR 97211; 503-249-3983

The Mission 1624 NW Glisan St., Portland, OR 97209; 503-223-4527

The Bagdad 3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214; 503-236-9234

To learn more: www.mcmenamins.com

Every country has an independence day, aka the day each country was born onto the map of the world. Thanks to About.com, there list is notated below.

Fast Facts:

*A majority of the countries became independent after 1800.

*20 were independent before the start of the 19th century- 10%. By 1900,  49 or 25% of the world’s countries of today were independent.

*Many countries became independent following World War II when European powers granted independence to their vast colonial holdings, especially Africa.

Here are the independence days for every country, from the oldest to the youngest…

660 BCE – Japan
221 BCE – China
301 CE – San Marino
843 CE – France
976 CE – Austria
10th Century CE – Denmark
1001 – Hungary
1143 – Portugal
1206 – Mongolia
1238 – Thailand
1278 – Andorra
August 1, 1291 – Switzerland
1419 – Monaco
15th Century – Spain
1502 – Iran
June 6, 1523 – Sweden
January 23, 1579 – Netherlands
1650 – Oman
May 1, 1707 – United Kingdom
January 23, 1719 – Liechtenstein
1768 – Nepal
July 4, 1776 – United States of America
January 1, 1804 – Haiti
July 20, 1810 – Colombia
Sept. 16, 1810 – Mexico
Sept. 18, 1810 – Chile
May 14, 1811 – Paraguay
July 5, 1811 – Venezuela
July 9, 1816 – Argentina
July 28, 1821 – Peru
Sept. 15, 1821 – Costa Rica
Sept. 15, 1821 – El Salvador
Sept. 15, 1821 – Guatemala
Sept. 15, 1821 – Honduras
Sept. 15, 1821 – Nicaragua
May 24, 1822 – Ecuador
Sept. 7, 1822 – Brazil
August 6, 1825 – Bolivia
August 25, 1825 – Uruguay
1829 – Greece
October 4, 1830 – Belgium
1839 – Luxembourg
February 27, 1844 – Dominican Republic
July 26, 1847 – Liberia
March 17, 1861 – Italy
July 1, 1867 – Canada
January 18, 1871 – Germany
May 9, 1877 – Romania
March 3, 1878 – Bulgaria
1896 – Ethiopia
June 12, 1898 – Philippines
January 1, 1901 – Australia
May 20, 1902 – Cuba
November 3, 1903 – Panama
June 7, 1905 – Norway
Sept. 26, 1907 – New Zealand
May 31, 1910 – South Africa
November 28, 1912 – Albania
December 6, 1917 – Finland
November 11, 1918 – Poland
December 1, 1918 – Iceland
August 19, 1919 – Afghanistan
December 6, 1921 – Ireland
February 28, 1922 – Egypt
October 29, 1923 – Turkey
February 11, 1929 – Vatican City
Sept. 23, 1932 – Saudi Arabia
October 3, 1932 – Iraq
November 22, 1943 – Lebanon
August 15, 1945 – Korea, North
August 15, 1945 – Korea, South
August 17, 1945 – Indonesia
Sept. 2, 1945 – Vietnam
April 17, 1946 – Syria
May 25, 1946 – Jordan
August 14, 1947 – Pakistan
August 15, 1947 – India
January 4, 1948 – Burma
February 4, 1948 – Sri Lanka
May 14, 1948 – Israel
July 19, 1949 – Laos
August 8, 1949 – Bhutan
December 24, 1951 – Libya
November 9, 1953 – Cambodia
January 1, 1956 – Sudan
March 2, 1956 – Morocco
March 20, 1956 – Tunisia
March 6, 1957 – Ghana
August 31, 1957 – Malaysia
October 2, 1958 – Guinea
January 1, 1960 – Cameroon
April 4, 1960 – Senegal
May 27, 1960 – Togo
June 30, 1960 – Congo, Republic of the
July 1, 1960 – Somalia
July 26, 1960 – Madagascar
August 1, 1960 – Benin
August 3, 1960 – Niger
August 5, 1960 – Burkina Faso
August 7, 1960 – Cote d’Ivorie
August 11, 1960 – Chad
August 13, 1960 – Central African Republic
August 15, 1960 – Congo, Dem. Rep. of the
August 16, 1960 – Cyprus
August 17, 1960 – Gabon
Sept. 22, 1960 – Mali
October 1, 1960 – Nigeria
November 28, 1960 – Mauritania
April 27, 1961 – Sierra Leone
June 19, 1961 – Kuwait
January 1, 1962 – Samoa
July 1, 1962 – Burundi
July 1, 1962 – Rwanda
July 5, 1962 – Algeria
August 6, 1962 – Jamaica
August 31, 1962 – Trinidad and Tobago
October 9, 1962 – Uganda
December 12, 1963 – Kenya
April 26, 1964 – Tanzania
July 6, 1964 – Malawi
Sept. 21, 1964 – Malta
October 24, 1964 – Zambia
February 18, 1965 – Gambia, The
July 26, 1965 – Maldives
August 9, 1965 – Singapore
May 26, 1966 – Guyana
September 30, 1966 – Botswana
October 4, 1966 – Lesotho
November 30, 1966 – Barbados
January 31, 1968 – Nauru
March 12, 1968 – Mauritius
Sept. 6, 1968 – Swaziland
October 12, 1968 – Equatorial
June 4, 1970 – Tonga
October 10, 1970 – Fiji
March 26, 1971 – Bangladesh
August 15, 1971 – Bahrain
Sept. 3, 1971 – Qatar
November 2, 1971 – United Arab Emirates
July 10, 1973 – Bahamas
Sept. 24, 1973 – Guinea-Bissau
February 7, 1974 – Grenada
June 25, 1975 – Mozambique
July 5, 1975 – Cape Verde
July 6, 1975 – Comoros
July 12, 1975 – Sao Tome and Principe
Sept. 16, 1975 – Papua New Guinea
November 11, 1975 – Angola
November 25, 1975 – Suriname
June 29, 1976 – Seychelles
June 27, 1977 – Djibouti
July 7, 1978 – Solomon Islands
October 1, 1978 – Tuvalu
November 3, 1978 – Dominica
February 22, 1979 – Saint Lucia
July 12, 1979 – Kiribati
October 27, 1979 – Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
April 18, 1980 – Zimbabwe
July 30, 1980 – Vanuatu
January 11, 1981 – Antigua and Barbuda
Sept. 21, 1981 – Belize
Sept. 19, 1983 – Saint Kitts and Nevis
January 1, 1984 – Brunei
October 21, 1986 – Marshall Islands
November 3, 1986 – Micronesia, Federated States of
March 11, 1990 – Lithuania
March 21, 1990 – Namibia
May 22, 1990 – Yemen
April 9, 1991 – Georgia
June 25, 1991 – Croatia
June 25, 1991 – Slovenia
August 20, 1991 – Estonia
August 21, 1991 – Kyrgyzstan
August 24, 1991 – Russia
August 25, 1991 – Belarus
August 27, 1991 – Moldova
August 30, 1991 – Azerbaijan
Sept. 1, 1991 – Uzbekistan
Sept. 6, 1991 – Latvia
Sept. 8, 1991 – Macedonia
Sept. 9, 1991 – Tajikistan
Sept. 21, 1991 – Armenia
October 27, 1991 – Turkmenistan
November 24, 1991 – Ukraine
December 16, 1991 – Kazakhstan
March 3, 1992 – Bosnia and Herzegovina
January 1, 1993 – Czech Republic
January 1, 1993 – Slovakia
May 24, 1993 – Eritrea
October 1, 1994 – Palau
May 20, 2002 – East Timor
June 3, 2006 – Montenegro
June 5, 2006 – Serbia
February 17, 2008 – Kosovo

Recent Updates not listed on the About.com list:

October 10, 2010 – The Netherlands Antilles, an autonomous Caribbean country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, was dissolved on 10 October 2010.It was created originally of communities from various islands in the Caribbean that formed a single autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

After dissolution, the islands of Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius became special municipalities of the Netherlands proper, while Curaçao and Sint Maarten became constituent countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, along the lines of Aruba, which had separated from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986. (wikipedia)

July 9, 2011 – South Sudan

Looking to travel for holiday to locations over Christmas and New Year’s?  Stef reports for Fox Business Channel on special holiday deals. Watch as she takes viewers around the world– from over water bungalows in Bora Bora to boutique villa in St. Barts, a half price cruise with air to the Caribbean and a Christmas wonderland at Ashford Castle in Ireland!

There’s more…

Click here to watch the full segment

Who says Black Friday is just for retail shoppers hitting US malls across the country?

Many left Thanksgiving dinners with family and friends to hit stores opening on Thurs. to catch deals ahead of time. It’s earlier this year than ever as retailers hope to see an increase in this year’s spending.

The same thing goes for the travel industry. This weekend will determine whether the increase in travel is due to the holidays, or if travel on its own is recovering and will continue to be on the rise. We’re used to Cyber Monday deals, but now Black Friday deals are rivaling what consumers waiting for Monday will bring.

The Los Angeles Times reported these deals below. We also suggest utilising online outlets like Cheaptickets.com and TravelZoo.com.

Most importantly- book it as you see it because there are only a set amount of specials out there to reel consumers in. Make sure to research as you go.

LA Times story below:

Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals could be great opportunities to lock in sale prices for next year’s vacations. Whether it’s a safari to Africa or a getaway to Santa Barbara, you can shop around among the hotels, cruise lines, tour operators and others that are diving into the seasonal sale game. A tip: Check Twitter and Facebook for exclusive offers that are likely to hit this weekend. Here are some travel sales I think are worth a look.

Abercrombie & Kent: High-end travel outfitter A&K gives travelers more than a day to contemplate its sale on trips to Italy, India, Jordan, Kenya and more. Six Days of Holiday Savings takes up to 50% off selected winter itineraries. The sale begins 7 a.m. PST Monday and continues through 11 a.m. PST on Dec. 3. An example: A10-day trip to Kenya costs $4,330 per person on sale, down from $7,630. Abercrombie & Kent, (800) 554-7016

Omni Hotels & Resorts: The hotel chain kicks off its Holiday Treat sale Friday through Cyber Monday with rooms ranging from $79 to $119 a night for stays through Jan. 31. Hotels in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, New York, San Francisco and others are on the list. Check out Omni’s Facebook page for details on how to enter a free giveaway of 100 rooms. Omni Hotels & Resorts, (800) 843-6664

Liftopia: The ski lift-ticket discounter started its Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale early (last Monday) with discounts at more than 150 resorts in North America. Some examples in Southern California: regular adult lift tickets start at $32 at Mountain High in Wrightwood (usually $59) and $40.99 (usually $54) at Snow Valley in Running Springs.

A guest more unwelcome than that crazy uncle, bedbugs invade homes for a holiday meal of their own
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Every year, we open our homes to spend the holidays with close friends and family. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, millions of people travel by plane, train or automobile to spend time with their loved ones. But in addition to clean sheets and towels, holiday hosts should also prepare their homes for an unexpected visitor known to hitchhike with travelers: bed bugs.

Bed bugs cling to baggage, backpacks and clothing, and have been found on airplanes, in hotels and on buses. Travelers are easily susceptible to the pests without even knowing it. And once they are brought into a home, it can be extremely difficult and costly to get rid of them.

While bed bugs are not known to carry diseases, the psychological impact of having a home infested with bloodsucking little creatures can be just as damaging. Moreover, bed bugs are becoming immune to sprays and chemicals that were once thought to be an effective method of eradication. Luckily, there are a number of steps hosts can take in order to keep their homes safe from bed bugs this holiday season.

Before guests arrive, reduce clutter and vacuum floors, rugs and curtains. Also, encase every mattress, box spring and pillow with protectors that feature bed bug proof fabric and reinforced seams and zippers.

Entomologist-tested AllergyLuxe® Bed Bug Barrier Protectors effectively keep bed bugs out so hosts can do what matters most- enjoy the company of their guests.

ABOUT ALLERGYLUXE® BED BUG BARRIER BEDDING COLLECTION

The entomologist-tested AllergyLuxe ARM & HAMMER Bed Bug Barrier line features reinforced seams and micro-zipper technology that guarantee the most secure encasement and protection from bed bug infestations. Additionally, the line features ARM & HAMMER odor neutralizing technology; an innovative antimicrobial shield which helps prevent mold, mildew and bacteria to effectively reduce odors. The line includes mattress protectors, pillow protectors, and box spring protectors. The AllergyLuxe ARM & HAMMER Bed Bug Barrier line is available at Bed Bath & Beyond® stores nationwide and at www.bedbathandbeyond.com.

ABOUT LONDON LUXURY LLC

London Luxury LLC is a leading manufacturer of innovative and premium home products. The company is based in New York, with sourcing and quality assurance offices worldwide. For more information please visit www.londonlux.com.

ARM & HAMMER is a trademark of Church & Dwight Co., Inc. and is used under license by London Luxury LLC.

SOURCE London Luxury

“Where to ski, where to ski, where to ski?” a friend of mine sighed as we sat in air-conditioning on one of the hottest days this past summer. “Skiing!?” I replied, “How can you think of skiing when it’s 100 degrees here in California?”

We posted a Lonely Planet list of newest countries. But, we wanted to take it a step farther. Below we’ve added a complete list of the 34 new countries have been created since 1990.

We’d also like to add a mention of another recent country: Georgia, which emerged from the breakup of the Soviet Union. Independence: 9 April, 1991, the Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia declared independence from the U.S.S.R. Constitution: 17 October, 1995.

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

Fifteen new countries became independent with the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. Most of these countries declared independence a few months preceding the fall of the Soviet Union in late 1991.

1. Armenia
2. Azerbaijan
3. Belarus
4. Estonia
5. Georgia
6. Kazakhstan
7. Kyrgyzstan
8. Latvia
9. Lithuania
10. Moldova
11. Russia
12. Tajikistan
13. Turkmenistan
14. Ukraine
15. Uzbekistan

Former Yugoslavia

Yugoslavia dissolved in the early 1990s into five independent countries.

1. Bosnia and Herzegovina, February 29, 1992
2. Croatia, June 25, 1991
3. Macedonia (officially The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) declared independence on September 8, 1991 but wasn’t recognized by the United Nations until 1993 and the United States and Russia in February of 1994
4. Serbia and Montenegro, (also known as the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia), April 17, 1992 (see below for separate Serbia and Montenegro entries)
5. Slovenia, June 25, 1991

Other New Countries

Thirteen other countries became independent through a variety of causes.

• March 21, 1990 – Namibia became independent of South Africa.
• May 22, 1990 – North and South Yemen merged to form a unified Yemen.
• October 3, 1990 – East Germany and West Germany merged to form a unified Germany after the fall of the Iron Curtain.
• September 17, 1991 – The Marshall Islands was part of the Trust Territory of Pacific Islands (administered by the United States) and gained independence as a former colony.
• September 17, 1991 – Micronesia, previously known as the Caroline Islands, became independent from the United States.
• January 1, 1993 – The Czech Republic and Slovakia became independent nations when Czechoslovakia dissolved.
• May 25, 1993 – Eritrea was a part of Ethiopia but seceded and gained independence.
• October 1, 1994 – Palau was part of the Trust Territory of Pacific Islands (administered by the United States) and gained independence as a former colony.
• May 20, 2002 – East Timor (Timor-Leste) declared independence from Portugal in 1975 but did not became independent from Indonesia until 2002.
• June 3, 2006 – Montenegro was part of Serbia and Montenegro (also known as Yugoslavia) but gained independence after a referendum.
• June 5, 2006 – Serbia became its own entity after Montenegro split.
• Febraury 17, 2008 – Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia.
• July 9, 2011 – South Sudan peacefully seceded from Sudan following a January 2011 referendum. Sudan itself was the first to recognize South Sudan and did so one day early, on July 8, 2011.

SOURCE: About.com

We love Lonely Planet, and thank them for creating this list of newest countries on the map over the last 20 years. Our world is ever changing. We travelers are thirsty for history in the making, and relishing in emerging cultures to learn from. This list will do the trick! So, as Lonely Planet says, “Turbo boost your passport by venturing to these recently minted destinations, as highlighted in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2011. It’s also a good chance to increase your collection of miniature national flags.”

Let’s get started…

Czech Republic

Following Czechoslovakia’s Velvet Revolution in 1989, the Czech Republic and Slovakia finally sealed their Velvet Divorce in 1993. Less than 20 years on, Prague neighborhoods like elegant Vinohrady and energetic Žižkov are buzzing, and a country full of emerging microbreweries proves there’s more to Czech beer than Pilsner Urquell or Budvar.

Add virtue to these delicious liquid vices by cycling and hiking through the idiosyncratic landscapes of Bohemian Switzerland or the ?eský ráj region. Away from bustling Prague, discover quieter provincial gems like Olomouc, Tel?  and Loket, all still retaining the essence of Bohemian and Moravian culture.

Explore the Czech Republic’s rapidly expanding beer scene at Prague’s Czech Beer Festival or the Olomouc Beer Fest.

East Timor

The 21st-century’s newest nation finally achieved independence in 2002, 27 strife-torn and tragic years after initially declaring independence from Indonesia in 1975. Look forward to basic roads and infrastructure, but be rewarded with an intensely warm welcome from the locals.

The easygoing capital Dili is a hub for thirsty UN and NGO staff looking for new drinking buddies, and across on sleepy Atauro Island, a fledgling ecotourism scene supports hiking and diving. Explore East Timor’s Portuguese heritage amid the faded colonial architecture of Baucau, and check travel advisories on the country’s security situation before leaving home.

A 30-day travel permit (US$30) is issued to most nationalities on arrival at Dili airport. See the Immigration Department of Timor-Leste for the latest.

Eritrea

How far would you go for a really, really good coffee? What if it was a superb macchiato served in an art deco cafe in an exotic country in the Horn of Africa? An addictive combination of sleepy African vibes and an Italian colonial past also showcases cubist, expressionist and futurist architecture in the Eritrean capital of Asmara.

In nearby Massawa, centuries-old Islamic buildings linger in narrow, labyrinthine streets, and the port is the departure point to diving amid Red Sea corals in the Dahlak Archipelago.

Tensions are still rife between Eritrea and Ethiopia – and for now, the border between the two countries is closed – so be sure to check current travel advisories carefully. Visas are required by all visitors and should be obtained in advance from an Eritrean embassy or consulate before entering Asmara.

Slovakia

In a region crammed with dramatic castles, Slovakia‘s Spiš Castle trumps most with an audacious hilltop location and craggy towers and gloomy dungeons straight from a Hammer horror flick. Visit in summer for a full program of events including  concerts and mock battles.

Following Slovakia’s independence in 1993, Bratislava seems in no hurry to become a bustling Central European metropolis, and the cool cafes and bars of the Slovakian capital’s beautifully preserved old town are still largely tourist free – take that Prague! Look forward also to being continuously surprised by the funky street art lurking around every corner.

Get active in the High Tatras National Park before dissolving your weary limbs into Pieš?any‘s healing spa waters.

Palau

How many jellyfish is just enough? How about 10 million, especially when you’re swimming with them in Palau‘s renowned Jellyfish Lake? (Don’t worry, the local species have evolved with an absence of stingers).

With a population of just 20,000, one of the world’s newest countries is also one of the smallest. The tiny island nation of Palau showcases some of the Pacific’s best diving opportunities with more than 60 vertical drop-offs punctuating locations like Blue Corner, Shark City and Turtle Cove. In 2001, the Palau Shark Sanctuary was established to further protect Palau’s sharks from the Asian shark-fin industry.

As Palau only achieved independence from United States trusteeship in 1994, you’ll need to come equipped with US dollars.

Serbia

Following the dissolution of Yugoslavia from 1990, Serbia has been less open to travelers than neighboring Croatia or nearby Slovenia. Now Belgrade‘s gritty cityscape and Europe’s most energetic nightlife scene are attracting a vanguard of curious expat residents and intrepid visitors. It’s probably your best chance to experience what Prague was like following the fall of communism in 1989.

Other essential musical thrills include the annual Exit Festival – recent acts have included the Chemical Brothers, Patti Smith and Kraftwerk – and the wildly frantic Guca Festival, drawing 600,000 visitors annually for the best in manic Roma (gypsy) trumpet playing.

Check out the Belgrade Foreign Visitors Club for the latest expat-informed lowdown on the Serbian capital.

Bosnia & Hercegovina

For centuries Sarajevo was on the fault line of religion, culture and history, and in today’s capital of Bosnia & Hercegovina, mosques, churches and synagogues all huddle beside each other and the Neretva River. The city has emerged from the dark days of the siege of Sarajevo from 1992 to 1996 as an inclusive and collaborative center for the arts.

The annual summer festival Nights of Bascarsija showcases music, art and dance in Sarajevo’s compact Ottoman quarter, and the Sarajevo Film Festival is one of Europe’s most important. Poignant memories of the Balkan Wars include Mostar’s reconstructed bridge.

Bosnia & Hercegovina is an emerging adventure-tourism destination, with excellent whitewater rafting on the Una and Neretva rivers.

Kazakhstan

Was the inaccurate depiction of Kazakhstan by Borat a few years ago a blessing or a curse? The film certainly lifted brand awareness for the Central Asian republic made independent from Moscow in December 1991, but the planet’s ninth-largest country remains a mystery to most.

Fueled by revenues from copious oil and gas reserves, Almaty and Astana have emerged as modern-day boom-towns from the Central Asian steppe, but Kazakhs’ nomadic roots are still celebrated with one of the world’s more…er…interesting cuisines. How does beshbarmak (an offal stew) and horse-meat sausage washed down with a shot of vodka sound?

Celebrate the coming of spring with dancing, Kazakh food and equestrian events at the festival of Nauryz in late March.

Montenegro

The denouement of the inevitable dissolution of Yugoslavia came in June 2006 when the citizens of tiny Montenegro voted to separate from the federation of Serbia & Montenegro. Despite Montenegro being the smallest piece of the Balkans jigsaw, the rugged country packs in a geography textbook of natural features and spectacles.

The country’s eponymous ‘Black Mountains’ cradle the perfect medieval town at Kotor, and the pine-scented Tara River is Europe’s deepest canyon and a growing location for river rafting. The tiny island of Sveti Stefan, irredeemably picturesque and joined to the mainland by a slender isthmus, is rapidly regaining its pre-Balkan Wars status as one of Europe’s most exclusive destinations.

Passionate twitchers (birdwatchers) should pack their high-powered binoculars for Lake Skadar, one of Europe’s most important bird sanctuaries.

Kosovo

Consider the evidence. Kosovo declared unilateral independence from Serbia in 2008, but Kosovo’s closest neighbor refuses to accept the declaration. China and Russia agree with Serbia, but almost 70 other nations including the US, Germany and the UK accept Kosovo as an independent state. Membership of the World Bank and the IMF are a given, but UN membership remains elusive due to the veto-trumping machinations of the Security Council. The presence of the UN and NGOs keeps accommodation prices relatively high, so this is definitely one for the true country collectors out there.

In the Kosovar capital of Pristina, visit Bill Clinton Blvd, complete with a giant billboard of the former US president.

For a complete list -Read on for more countries to gain independence here:

SOURCE: Lonely Planet

Brrrr…. are you feeling it? That fall chill that can only lead to winter cold to the bone! We’re shivering just thinking about the freezing days ahead. Well, fret no more summer lovers, because there are places where the sun shines pretty much year round!

So, thaw out with these warm weather choices below and let the “sun chasing” begin!

Budget

Canary Islands: One can hope to visit (at low cost) for guaranteed heat during the winter months. Tenerife is the largest of the islands, and it has the most facilities, in contrast to tiny El Hierro and La Gomera, where tourism has had less of an impact. Gran Canaria has the best beaches, while Lanzarote is volcanic, so parts of the island are covered in lava and ashes, and many of the beaches have black sand.
Weather: Expect winter temperatures of mid-20sC. Rain is rare
Beware: The mega-resorts (for example, Playa del Ingles on Gran Canaria) with their cavorting hordes
Also try: Goa, Tunisia, Cyprus

Family

Florida: You can fly direct from the cities in the US and from the UK, so there are no tedious stopovers, and once you get there the kids will eat the food, speak the language and enjoy the beach life. Miami Beach is a good base, with its huge sandy beaches and warm water. Hire a car and visit the Seaquarium to meet sea lions, dolphins, manatees and even a killer whale. It’s also a good idea to make time for the Science Museum, Planetarium, kayaking through the Everglades and the mother of all Florida attractions: the Orlando theme parks.
Weather: Temperatures average 16C-30C December to May
Beware: A car is essential
Also try: Canaries, Balearics

Glamour

Dubai: Expect to rub shoulders with the stars at beach resorts in this city, which has been dubbed the Hong Kong of the Gulf. David Beckham and Michael Owen are among those who are said to have bought property here, and the glittering hotels on Jumeira beach are testament to the rich clientele this spot attracts. The Burj al Arab hotel has got to be seen: it’s the world’s only seven-star hotel, plus take a walk through the souks to check out the Persian carpets and gawp at the gold on sale.
Weather: Between 20C and 25C, though it can be windy in winter
Beware: Overdoing it on your credit card
Also try: Barbados, St Maarten

Culture

Egypt: Treasure house of the ancient world. Visit Karnak and Luxor in the winter months and enjoy almost guaranteed sunshine, without the searing heat of midsummer. History buffs will love the temples, tombs and pyramids, while sun seekers can soak up the rays from aboard a Nile cruise ship.
Weather: Southern Egypt basks in mid-20sC during the winter months
Beware: Relentless touts can test your sense of humour
Also try: Jordan

Romance

Maldives: The stuff that dreams are made of: coral-fringed islets, white sand and warm seas. No one can fail to be seduced by this cluster of tropical islands in the heart of the Indian Ocean. The smaller resorts tend to be quieter and therefore more appealing to couples and honeymooners. Choose a full-board option – the islands are so small that there’s nowhere else to eat, anyway.
Weather: Temperatures sit at 28C plus throughout the winter
Beware: Boredom. There is, literally, nothing to do apart from read, swim and gaze into the eyes of the one you love
Also try: The Seychelles, Mauritius

City break

Marrakech: This medieval walled city in Southern Morocco has barely changed over the centuries, with its narrow alleyways and merchants trading from tiny stalls. Make way for the donkeys hauling great loads through the crowded streets, and don’t worry about getting lost – a helpful passer-by will be happy to point you in the right direction. Sip mint tea in one of the cafés overlooking the bustling Djeema el-Fna market square, where snake charmers, food vendors and freelance dentists rub shoulders with magicians, musicians and storytellers.
Weather: Take a jacket, as winter sunshine can still feel a little chilly. Winter temperatures range from 15C to 26C
Beware: Spur of the moment purchases. You may find yourself trying to stuff carpets, pottery, metalwork and leather goods into that suitcase for the journey home.
Also try: Seville, Granada

Party

Rio de Janeiro: The city of samba, where life revolves around dance, drink, beach and sun. For 24-hour party people, February’s Mardi Gras carnival is a must. But there’s no such thing as a quiet night in Rio, so winter revellers at any time can be sure to catch a vibe. Ride the cable car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, then work on your tan on Copacabana beach.
Weather: December to March temperatures range from 25C to 40C
Beware: High crime rate, so take care and stay safe
Also try: Canaries, Cuba

Adventure

Safari: What could be more exciting than sleeping under canvas as lions prowl around your tent? Or coming within feet of an elephant as it plods through the bush? Going on safari is the ultimate adventure holiday, and Europe’s winter months are the best time for game viewing, so taking a trip on the wild side is the ultimate winter getaway. Tanzania is a good choice – there’s snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, the plains of the Serengeti, the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, Great Rift Valley and Zanzibar. Intrepid travellers will choose a couple of camps and make the transfer by light aircraft for the best views. (Get more information on safaris)
Weather: Mid-20sC in the Serengeti, hotter at the coast
Beware: Early starts – 6am is normal – to catch the best animals
Also try: sailing in the West Indies, diving in the Red Sea

Longhaul

Australia: It’s a long way to go, but worth it if you’ve got itchy feet for a big winter holiday. Make it a multi-center trip and travel from Melbourne up the east coast via Sydney, Brisbane and the Whitsunday Islands to the tropical rainforests of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. Guaranteed sunshine, as our winter is their summer, but remember to slap on the UV protection – those rays are mighty fierce down in the southern hemisphere.
Weather: Gets hotter as you head north to Cairns, with mid-20sC in Melbourne and Sydney
Beware: Creepy crawlies. Australia is home to some of the world’s deadliest bugs
Also try: Fiji, Far East

Source: iVillage UK

The 2012 Bordeaux Wine Festival in Québec City!

From September 6 to 9, 2012, Québec City will celebrate the wines of Bordeaux! This festive occasion will mark the 50th anniversary of the fruitful relationship between these sister cities.

“To celebrate the 50th anniversary of this most beneficial partnership, we are preparing a truly remarkable gathering,” stated the Honourable Mr. Régis Labeaume, mayor of Québec City. “During my 2010 visit to the Bordeaux Wine Festival, I immediately recognized that we had to repeat this event on this momentous occasion. I am looking forward to seeing local and visiting wine lovers strolling through our beautiful quays at Espace 400e and the Old Port, a glass of exquisite Bordeaux wine in hand!”

A celebration to bring people together…
In 2010, Québec City was fêted as the guest of honour at the seventh Bordeaux Wine Festival, an international public event dedicated to the wines of Bordeaux and Aquitaine. Following this highly successful experience, Mr. Labeaume expressed his willingness to import and adapt this concept in his own city, specifically during the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec.

Open to all residents of the Capitale-Nationale, the 2012 Bordeaux Wine Festival in Québec City will be the focal event during the sister cities’ 50th Anniversary celebrations. This festival will imaginatively pair the wines of Bordeaux with Québec City’s regional gastronomic delights. Representatives of the City of Bordeaux will volunteer their experience and expertise to local organizers to ensure the success of this project.

A spotlight on wine, food and cultural activities…
In September 2012, epicures will be invited to discover a variety of vintages from the Bordeaux region, including Médoc and Graves, sweet Bordeaux, Côtes de Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion, Pomerol-Fronsac, Bordeaux & Bordeaux Supérieur, and dry rosé and white Bordeaux. Nearly fifty vineyards will take part onsite.

Activities will be centred in the Espace 400e sector during this event. Pavilions featuring wine and gastronomic tastings will delight residents and visitors alike with new discoveries – the wines of Bordeaux and Aquitaine, as well as gourmet products and alcoholic beverages from the Québec City region. A festival tent decorated in the colours of Bordeaux will be devoted exclusively to our sister city. In addition, a wine school will offer a series of educational workshops to the public.

The dynamic and rich culture of the sister cities will be showcased at the Agora Port de Québec, where a number of live shows and large-scale happenings are planned. Master classes and exclusive activities round out the programming. Finally, restaurateurs across the city will introduce their patrons to the variety and uniqueness of the Bordeaux terroir.

“Wine is to cycling what beer is to hockey. Given the overlapping dates of these two events, it made sense to work closely together to ensure that the 2012 Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec will be the most dynamic, festive and colourful edition yet,” noted M. Serge Arsenault, president of the Grands Prix Cyclistes Québec – Montréal. “Over the coming months, we will take tremendous pleasure in working closely with the organizers of the 2012 Bordeaux Wine Festival in Québec City to develop a series of exciting activities and complementary initiatives during the 2012 Grand Prix.”

“This festive event held in late summer will attract many epicures to Québec City,” noted Mr. Gabriel Savard, Director of Québec City Tourism (QCT). “QCT will launch an enticing promotional campaign spanning the province of Québec, the Ontario market, the northeastern United States and even in France. It will be a golden opportunity to educate these markets on Québec City’s unrivalled gastronomic expertise and reputation.”

A touristic, economic and festive connection!…
Since 1962, the cities of Bordeaux and Québec have maintained close ties in numerous sectors of activity. Cooperation between the two cities has taken many forms, encompassing a wide range of areas such as economic development and tourism, culture, academia, etc.

Over the past 50 years, trade missions and exchanges have generated a variety of profitable and concrete projects benefiting both regions. The 2012 Bordeaux Wine Festival in Québec City will soon be added to this venerable list, a most appropriate way to mark the anniversary of such a prolific partnership!